der Fallstrick
Translation
pitfall, trap, snare
Examples
Das Projekt hatte viele unerwartete Fallstricke.
The project had many unexpected pitfalls.
Achte auf die Fallstricke in diesem Vertrag.
Watch out for the pitfalls in this contract.
Grammar Patterns
to be a pitfall for sb. Bureaucracy was a pitfall for the startup.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Falle (trap), Hürde (hurdle); Antonyms: Chance (opportunity)
Etymology
Composed of 'Fall' (fall) and 'Strick' (rope). It literally means a 'fall-rope,' a rope set up to make someone trip and fall.
Memory Tips
Visualize a 'Strick' (rope) laid out to cause a 'Fall'. This helps remember its meaning as a trap or pitfall.